Bob & Barbara Stevens are recipients this year!
On October 15, 2020 the Indiana Arts Commission in partnership with Office of the Governor announced the 2020 recipients of the Governor’s Arts Award. The awards have been given since 1973 and recognizes excellence in artistic achievement, philanthropy, arts education, and leadership in the arts. The awards are presented biennially at a public event, but the 2020 event has been postponed until 2021 due to the public health crisis.
The Friends of T.C. Steele want to recognize and congratulate Bob and Barbara on this award and dedicate our fall newsletter to the Stevens!
Beyond their wonderful contributions to the arts in their hometown of Columbus, Indiana the Stevens have also made meaningful and lasting contributions outside of Columbus. These include the Brown Country Art Gallery, where they have established the Bob and Barbara Stevens Art Education Studio, and the Stevens Family Gallery. They were instrumental in creating the vision and contributing a major gift that enabled the creation of the Singing Winds Visitor Center at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site. The center opened in June of 2019.
Robert and Barbara Stevens, Advocates
Since moving to Columbus, Indiana in 1985, Bob and Barbara Stevens have been leaders in business and supporters of the arts. The Stevens believe in giving back and leaving a legacy for their community and Columbus has benefited from their support of numerous arts and community-based organizations. Their commitment to Columbus and the surrounding area can be seen in the range of projects, causes and Indiana artists they have supported including the Columbus Area Arts Council, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Commons Building in Columbus, Indiana University J Irwin Miller Architecture Program in Columbus, the Brown County Art Gallery Expansion and the new Visitor Center at the T C Steele State Historic Site in Brown County.1
Other 2020 recipients include:
- Jim Bodenmiller, Advocate (West Lafayeter, IN)
- Michael Cleveland, Musician (Henryville, IN)
- Hurley Goodall, Advocate (Muncie, IN)
- John Green, Author (Indianapolis, IN)
- Harrison Center for the Arts, Organization (Indianapolis)
Governor’s Emerging Artist Award recipient:
- Amy Oelsner, Musician (Bloomington, IN)
